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Fresno vs Long Beach: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Long Beach is 43% more expensive than Fresno. Long Beach is 1% safer. Fresno population: 555,549. Long Beach population: 450,469.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingFresno
SafetyTie
HousingFresno

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Fresno vs Long Beach

Fresno is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 105 vs 150 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 45 index points.

CategoryFresnoLong Beach
Overall Index105150
Housing$2,314/moIndex: 130$4,183/moIndex: 235
Groceries$418/moIndex: 102$439/moIndex: 107
Transportation$368/moIndex: 105$403/moIndex: 115
Healthcare$326/moIndex: 102$339/moIndex: 106
Utilities$202/moIndex: 92$209/moIndex: 95

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Fresno vs Long Beach

Long Beach is 1% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents vs Fresno's 23.4. Long Beach earns a C+ safety grade compared to Fresno's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Fresno

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.4/1K
TrendDeclining
C+

Long Beach

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.2/1K
TrendDeclining
MetricFresnoLong Beach
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K23.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6407.8
Property Crime Rate1912.41911.2
Murder Rate5.88.0
Assault Rate333.7286.3
Robbery Rate85.763.1
Burglary Rate217.5244.1
Theft Rate1400.31294.8
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2276.5

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Fresno, you have a 1 in 43 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Long Beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno cheaper than Long Beach?
Fresno is 43% more affordable than Long Beach, with a cost of living index of 105 vs 150 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $2,314/mo in Fresno vs $4,183/mo in Long Beach.
Is Fresno safer than Long Beach?
Long Beach is 1% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents vs Fresno's 23.4. Long Beach earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Fresno or Long Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach is safer (C+ grade). Fresno is more affordable (index 105 vs 150). Fresno has a population of 555,549 and Long Beach has 450,469. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Fresno compared to Long Beach?
Fresno has a population of 555,549 and Long Beach has 450,469. Fresno is 23% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Fresno or Long Beach?
Housing is cheaper in Fresno. Estimated monthly housing costs: Fresno $2,314/mo vs Long Beach $4,183/mo. That's based on a housing index of 130 vs 235 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Fresno Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Long Beach Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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